What do you mainstream political party people think of the independents like Nader?

Question

I appreciate his effort and it does send the message to people that Republicans and Democrats aren't the only answer, but I have trouble taking him seriously. I know he has experiance in politics...but really...?

Answer 1

I have no problem voting outside the two parties, but there's really not a viable, reasonable candidate out there. (Nader doesn't count-he is a fruit loop)

I keep hoping a strong third party will emerge, but there's so many who are stuck in the R v/s D rut-to alot of people, I am afraid it's more like a grudge match or a ball game with opposing teams rather than voting for the future of our nation.

Answer 2

We'll never be able to take a third party candidate seriously until we change our voting system. Our current system, based on a "plurality vote" (put simply winner takes all) does not allow for political change. Most people will not "waste" their vote on a 3rd party candidate (like Nader) because they feel like they can only have an impact by voting for the lessor of evils.

We heard it all the time throughout the Bush/Kerry battle. So many people said they disliked both candidates, but chose the one they thought would be of the least detriment to America.

This is a terrible way to staff the white house and congress.

If we switched the way we vote to a percentage system, each citizen would get to vote their conscience. This would be done by having each voter rank their percentage of approval for each candidate. You could vote for Nader with a 95% approval, Gore at 90%, Ed at 75%, Kerry at 50%, Hitler at 3%, and Bush at 2%. The result is no "wasted" votes and more honest results at the polls.

Of course Reps and Dems would never allow this and since they're already running the show, we the people are just shitt out of luck in regards to the prospect of putting a 3rd party candidate into office. I guess it really doesn't matter what anyone thinks of Nader at this point.

Answer 3

This country could stand to have a good strong third party to break the ever occuring deadlocks and log jams in the system---but Nader is not the answer here --he is not near strong enough as a leader / not nearly as experienced at governmental issues / and has too many axes to grind from his years as a consumer advocate

Answer 4

The only current politicans that are in power now that I appreciate are people like Obama. The ones who say what they mean, and mean what they say. I have yet to see a single bad press release on Obama. We need to stop the bickering between the two parties and go forth united in ideals and values.

Answer 5

They will no doubt continue to blindly bicker amongst themselves, repeating the propaganda they have been subjected to, dismissing all logic (including alternative candidates), and continue to believe in a system of government that only represent the rich elites, while they, and the rest of the suffer.

God help America

Answer 6

I think he is a good man, with good intentions but a vote for him takes away a vote for a viable candidate. I wish he had not run the last two times as look at how it ended up, God awful Bush as president.

Answer 7

its important to the process that independents are allowed to participate - it helps to demonstrate our diverse views and even if they can't win they influence the outcome of the elections making the results more representative of the populations point of view.

Answer 8

i like to party